the almanac S e p t e mb e r 22, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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UPPER ST. CLAIR’S GUPTA IS MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT PAGE A8
Fall celebrations Apples, bagged, baked or buttered, are the star at the annual Hickory Apple Festival, scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6.
Cecil, Hickory, Houston host annual festivals
BETHEL PARK PIECING TOGETHER SUCCESS ON THE GRIDIRON PAGE B1
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Autumn arrived at 8:43 a.m. Sept. 22 and that means one thing in Western Pennsylvania: fall festival season. Three big celebrations will be occurring on three consecutive weekends in Washington County. Cecil Township kicks off the fun with its fall festival Sept. 28 and 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. As the leaves begin to change and a crisp breeze fills the air, Cecil Park, located on Route 50, transforms into a wonderland of entertainment with vibrant activities and joyful celebrations. The heartbeat of the event lies within an array of bounce houses. Colorful and whimsical, they invite children of all ages to jump to their hearts’ content as giggles echo through the air. The rhythm of the festival is set to live music that fills every corner, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and joy. And what’s a festival without delectable treats? SEE FALL PAGE A3
PITTSBURGH SILENT FILM FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE ESSENTIAL CENTENNIAL FILMS PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A8 Crowds weave through Cecil Park in pursuit of the perfect craft during the township’s annual fall festival. This year’s event is set for Sept. 28 and 29.
Classifieds, B6-8
PHOTOS: KATHERINE MANSFIELD/FOR THE OBSERVER-REPORTER
Mike Barbaryka looks in astonishment at never-before-seen images of the 2004 flood that devastated Carnegie. Twenty years ago, Barbaryka, his wife and their then-4-year-old son lived in Bridgeville, and, after being rescued by firefighters, found refuge with a relative in the Honus Wagner apartments in Carnegie.
‘We came back’ Carnegie marks 20th anniversary of historic flood By Katherine Mansfield For the Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-reporter.com
When a crowd gathered on the floral-painted bridge near Carnegie’s historic Husler Building on the evening of Sept. 17, the crowd was dry and the bridge, safely many yards above the creek. But 20 years ago to the date, many
of those gathered had been soaked to the bone, and the bridge itself more closely resembled a river. The Historical Society of Carnegie hosted a solemn remembrance ceremony last week to mark the 20th anniversary of its great flood. On Sept. 17, 2004, nine days after Hurricane Francis poured nearly four inches of rain on
The Rev. Joseph Louisi leads a prayer and a moment of silence Sept. 17 in remembrance of Dennis Santiago, a Carnegie resident and member of the deaf community, who was killed in the 2004 flood.
Pittsburgh and the surrounding municipalities, Hurricane Ivan dumped an additional six inches on saturated ground. “The downtown was decimated,” said Jack Kobistek, vice president of the historical
society and a resident who served as Carnegie’s mayor from 2010 to 2018. “The cleanup took a number of years.” Chartiers Creek overflowed its banks, submerging Carn-
egie Borough in floodwater, mud and debris. Hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded. Four feet of water rushed madly through the borough, carrying cars, furniture, and boats in its current.
People were stranded, waiting helplessly for help – the U.S. Coast Guard and Johnstown River Rescue performed water rescues – and one life was SEE FLOOD PAGE A2